<p>OCALA - Five of Marion County's behind-the-scenes school employees were surprised at their schools on Friday, discovering they had been named finalists for School-Related Employee of the Year honors.</p><p>Sponsored by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, a caravan of district officials traveled to five elementary schools to honor the employees, all non-instructional, for a job well done.</p><p>The five finalists were chosen from a field of 63 people named by their school or department as their nominees for the honor aimed at recognizing those who support education.</p><p>"The foundation and the school system realize that the non-instructional employees are critical to every school," said Carole Savage, the Education Foundation's executive director.</p><p>Kevin Christian, School District spokesman, agreed.</p><p>"So many people think it is just the teachers in the classroom," he said. "This is a great opportunity for us to show support for those people who are behind the scenes."</p><p>On Jan. 30, the winner will be announced at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at the Community Technical &amp; Adult Education Center. The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are:</p><p><b>PEGGY JO LITTLE, OCALA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY</b></p><p>Little, an instructional paraprofessional for Exceptional Student Education, is a 21-year veteran of Marion County Public Schools, the last nine at Ocala Springs Elementary.</p><p>It is the third year in a row she has been nominated.</p><p>Little travels the school every day helping teachers, even at lunch time, and helps when behavioral issues erupt.</p><p>"The personal reward of making a difference in a child's education is the best feeling inside," she wrote in her nomination application.</p><p>Ocala Springs Principal Dave DeNaro, who wrote a nomination letter on Little's behalf, said she "has had a positive impact on the lives of children."</p><p><b>BETTY MATCHETT, BELLEVIEW ELEMENTARY</b></p><p>Matchett, a paraprofessional who is also the yearbook adviser, is a 10-year School District veteran, all with Belleview Elementary, according to her nomination application.</p><p>Other duties include: lunch room monitor, running teachers' copies, Box Top coordinator and parent resource manuals. She has participated in numerous training courses.</p><p>Matchett "diligently works with two groups of the immediate intensive intervention students, who lag behind in growth of critical reading skills," first-grade teacher Trudy Connell wrote.</p><p><b>CHANDRA OWENS, OAKCREST ELEMENTARY</b></p><p>Owens, a teacher assistant who specializes in helping students read, is an 11-year veteran of the School District, all with Oakcrest Elementary, according to her nomination application.</p><p>She is responsible for many children, ranging in age from 4 to 13, within the Reading First curriculum, helping them "capitalize on their education," she wrote in her application.</p><p>"She is a beautiful work of art in the classroom in organization, creativity, competency in teaching, and advancing students above and beyond average means," fifth-grade teacher Kimberly Pompey wrote.</p><p><b>LORIENE SCHROEDER, SPARR ELEMENTARY</b></p><p>Schroeder, a desktop support technician, has been with the School District for 11 years, almost two years at Sparr Elementary, according to her nomination application.</p><p>She is responsible for maintaining computers and monitors for the school, a self-described troubleshooter. She has been touted as having an outstanding rapport with the teachers.</p><p>"Lois is highly demanded on campus with tasks that range from extremely simple to highly complex," said Vickie Jenkins, the school's dean of students.</p><p><b>TAMMY SMITH, EMERALD SHORES ELEMENTARY</b></p><p>Smith, an in-house classroom substitute, has been working for the School District for six years, the last four at Emerald Shores Elementary, according to her nomination application.</p><p>Not only is she a substitute teacher, she is the school's Parent/Teacher Organization treasurer. She's known to go beyond her duties to take on additional responsibilities.</p><p>"Not only does she do a great job serving as our school classroom substitute teacher, she is involved with school-wide programs and events," fifth-grade teacher Michele Danley wrote.</p>